The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-09
THE ONTARIO CONVENTION.

reugl0uS service was held on Thursday
evening, June 16. Rev. w. s. Goodell
preached. On Friday morning at 9, the
Convention was called to order by the
President, Robert Wood, OF Nixon.
United in prayer with Rsvs. G. l.. Dema-
rest. Smithville, Port Dover, Olinda and
our new parish at Nixon were duly rep
resented. Bloomfield, being in the ex-
treme eastern part of the Province, was
represented by letter only, which, how
ever, showed healthy condition and
moderate degree Of progress. Blenheim
was not represented, but letter from the
Blenheim pastor, W. W. Clayton, excus-
ing himself for not being present, spoke
hopefully of the cause in his parish.
With the few ministers in the Province
the Convention could but regret that Br.
Clayton did not SO arrange as to be pres
emit. The health of Br. Powers, of Bloom
field, did not permit him to make the trip.
At IL, religious services were held, at
which DR.. Demarest preached, as he did
at every subsequent service, except Sun
day morning, when Br. Goodell again
preached.
Reports from the several parishes
showed gain in church membership of
eleven per cent during the year, and the
formation Of one new parish.
The finances of the Convention are in
good condition. A Permanent Fund is
being raised, and trustees for it were ap-
pointed, with power to invest. Robert
Wood, of Nixon; John Mcbride, of Port
Dover; and Thos. Theal, of Fulton, were
the trustees appointed.
The experiment of postoffice mission
was reported. So far it has met with
marked success. J. O. Barrows, OF Niles
town, is the managing secretary Of the
mission. He is instituting branch mis-
sions at several other points. Many pa
pers, tracts, and even larger works are
being distributed.
Br. Barrows has made practical DEM
onstration of the use of "printer's ink"
in advertising the meeting of the Conven-
ton. He sent the notice, ending with
this announcement: Any person WISH
ing information concerning the doctrines
OF the Universalist church will be sup
piled with literature explanatory thereof
by sending their names to Rev. w. 8.
Goodell, of Smithville, or j. G. Barrows,
of Nilestown," to every paper, SO far as he
could ascertain its existence, published
in the Province.
About eighty papers published the no.
tice, and the result was perfect shower
of requests from all parts of the Prov
ince. Clergymen, college professors and
men Of all classes, not excepting officers
in the Salvation Army, have asked for
information, which has kept both Br.
Barrows and the writer quite busy in
answering. One clergyman in Toronto
says: Though not one in name, trust
am one with you in faith and spirit. did
not know as there were any Universalists
in Canada. wish to know more of the
doctrines of your church." etc. The
same in substance from another minister
in Hamilton, while the lay correspond
ents are equally surprised to know that
there are enough of this faith here to
hold Convention"
Though not very complimentary to us
in the past, yet it demonstrates the ne.
cessity for us to "let our light shine"
through mediu ms that will reach the peo-
pie. Men will read the secular papers,
when a UNCONVENTIONAL paper will be
passed by, especially if it is the exponent
of some suspected heresy. Papers have
published our notice which are exceed
ingly conservative in everything that
pertains to liberality in religious thought.
Through the enterprise of Br. Theal a
full report of the Convention was pub
lished day by day in the Toronto Globe.
The Convention was successful meet
ing, and we trust will help to lift the
clouds from the Olinda church so that
the sunlight of our precious faith shining
into the minds of our friends there, will
quicken them into newness of life, which
will result Ia the settlement of a pastor.
We were saddened while there by the
sudden illness of our venerable r.Whit-
tie, father OF Br. Isaac Whittle, Vice
President of the Convention, which ter
minated in his death on Tuesday follow
ing, June 81.
On Sunday afternoon the Lords Sup
per was observed, Br. Goodell presiding.
Previous to its administration, widowed |
mother brought her little boy to the altar
and in the solemn rite of baptism conse-
Grated it to the service of God.
The officers of the Convention for the
following year are as follows:
Presidential. Wood, Nixon.
Vice President-Isaac Whittle, 0linda.
Secretary. 7. Middleton, Hamilton.
Treasurer-Thos. Theal, Fulton.
Trustees-T. s. Young, Bloomfield; j. E.
Anderson, Port Dover; R. R. Bruner, Olinda.
F. o. & D.-Rev. W. S. Goodell, Smith
vile; p. s. Howe, Bloomfield; Miss A. IL. |
Bruner, Olinda.
Delegates to the General Convention
Rev w s. Goodall SmithviIla. J. O. BAR